One of the metro area’s quickest hops across the Mississippi has been shut down indefinitely, after a state inspection flagged problems with the Chalmette ferry bridge and brought the Lower Algiers–Chalmette route to a halt. The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority pulled the ferry from service on Thursday, following a routine inspection by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The agency posted that crossings will not resume until the bridge issues are addressed, and riders are being urged to map out alternate routes.
In a March 19 news release, the RTA said the Lower Algiers–Chalmette ferry “is currently out of service until further notice” after the state inspection, according to the New Orleans RTA. For the state’s official word on which crossings are currently running, travelers are directed to the Louisiana DOTD.
The RTA has not given any estimate for when service might return. Past shutdowns have not been quick fixes: board records from June 25, 2024 note that the Chalmette ferry “would be out of service for longer than 90 days,” according to RTA board minutes. That history is one reason transit planners are warning riders to brace for a potentially long pause and to keep a close eye on official updates.
Why This Matters For Local Commuters
The Lower Algiers–Chalmette ferry provides a quick river crossing that links Chalmette in St. Bernard Parish to Lower Algiers in New Orleans, carrying both pedestrians and vehicles. With the route offline, drivers are pushed onto longer bridge trips or other state-operated crossings, which can mean more time on the road and extra congestion in already busy corridors. The Louisiana DOTD site is the official place to check which ferries are operating and whether there are any detours.
What Officials Say And What Comes Next
RTA officials say they will share updates as information becomes available and are urging riders to line up alternate routes and allow extra travel time. Riders who need help planning trips can call the RTA Rideline at 504-248-3900 for customer assistance. The state transportation department also posts ferry phone numbers and status information for travelers.
According to officials, crews and state engineers will conduct follow-up inspections before any reopening timeline is set. Until those checks are complete and any necessary repairs are finished, the Chalmette crossing will remain offline, which could snarl daily commutes for people who rely on the short ferry hop. For the latest, riders are encouraged to monitor the New Orleans RTA and the Louisiana DOTD as the agencies work through inspections and repairs.
